Medium Pimpin' - 1995 E300 diesel build

[skiierman]

looks good, I'll keep an eye out for you around town

[HuH]

Rad, love your attention to detail. Are you concerned about running the power and signal wires side by side like that? I've always been told to avoid it as much as possible since it causes buzzing and interference.

[schroedin]

big donkey dick of wire hanging off the back

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

your tank and comp setup is gonna be sick. But why do you have a butterfly valve or whatever at the end ? I understand the air dryer and drain and safety release but what is the valve and PTC fitting for ? air tools ? Never the less your trunk setup is coming along very nicely !

Good eye! Onboard air is just too useful to not use for more than just air ride. My plan is to run a second line to a panel somewhere on the car with a quick connect for air tools and the like. I also might have a fun secret up my sleeve . Since the first job of the compressor is to keep the suspension aired up, I put a ball valve on the secondary line just incase it decides to start leaking.

Today's work:

Audio Build, Day 4

I spent the weekend helping my dad frame out a shed, so I haven't had a ton of time or energy to work on the car, but I did manage to make a little dent today.

I got the amplifiers wired up and ready to rock:


To keep the smaller wires more manageable, I twisted them all together. If you don't know this trick, it's totally awesome. First, tie off or otherwise attach your wires to something solid:


...then chuck up the other end of the wire in your drill:


Pull taut, hit go on the drill, and as soon as you feel the wire starting to pull the drill forward, you're done. You'll wind up with a nice, tight bundle of wire that won't easily come unraveled. It looks more impressive with a larger number of wires, but it's useful for any number:


I mounted the crossovers for the front components to the back of the sub box, and ran the rest of the wiring across the back of the amp rack. Between the fat cables for the amps, all the wires for the speakers, and the wiring for the compressor and such, this turned into a big donkey dick of wire hanging off the back:


It turned out you could see the wiring and compressor through the cutout for the trunk arm, so I made up a quickie little cover panel out of some aluminum:


I slid everybody in place, and mounted up the subwoofer. To bring the effective box volume closer to the middle of the sub's recommended specs, I filled the box with 24oz of PolyFill. The sub itself is sealed in place with more of that sticky black silicone:


For the air ride, I drilled the trunk's back wall and installed ten bulkhead fittings. I trimmed up the wall and installed it in place temporarily:


At this point, with the exception of the trim that will finish up the face of the box, the sub box itself is complete:


Tomorrow I plan to finish running wires for the audio install and get the materials to finish trimming out the box. Then, it will be time for the air ride install to begin in earnest

Thanks again for all the interest!

[Marsss]

This is looking veeeerrrrrry nice... do work man...

[SD202]

your tank and comp setup is gonna be sick. But why do you have a butterfly valve or whatever at the end ? I understand the air dryer and drain and safety release but what is the valve and PTC fitting for ? air tools ? Never the less your trunk setup is coming along very nicely !

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

yes, i have... but a second pair is always good. but the turn signals are important first.

I just discovered one of mine has a crack . I'm going to try and get my hands on a replacement, and I'll let you know. I need to think up some cool Euro accessory I need in trade

fixed

That's actually really clever if you're just looking for some low-end fill, rather than big boom. It's right next to both the stereo and on the same side of the car as the battery, at least on the 6-cylinder models (I think V8s have the battery in the rear... I think).

[CrackerTeg]

fixed

Awesome. I see them now.

[loekaaz]

maybe its me but these pics don't work on my work pc, home pc or my phone.

fixed

[CrackerTeg]

I hope these pics work...
[IMG]http://www.w124club.nl/download/file.php?id=4652[/IMG
[IMG]http://www.w124club.nl/download/file.php?id=4651[/IMG
[IMG]http://www.w124club.nl/download/file.php?id=4649[/IMG
[IMG]http://www.w124club.nl/download/file.php?id=4648[/IMG
[IMG]http://www.w124club.nl/download/file.php?id=4647[/IMG

I have read that it actually wasn't a factory option. This was made by some audio-brand that made this specifically for the w124. The guy who made these pictures found it in a parts car he bought.

Maybe its me but these pics don't work on my work PC, home PC or my phone.

[hypetoday]

Don't you have the facelift tail lights on your ride? I've considered going clear on the turn signals, and if / when I do, you've got first dibs. I'll keep you informed

yes, i have... but a second pair is always good. but the turn signals are important first.

[loekaaz]

I hope these pics work...






I have read that it actually wasn't a factory option. This was made by some audio-brand that made this specifically for the w124. The guy who made these pictures found it in a parts car he bought.

[loekaaz]

I'm sure a couple of guys on the Dutch w124-forum have them fitted. I'll search for some pics for you.

And otherwise you can consider something like this... (for tucking it away )

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

i like your updates, and your car. small correction, 040 is not the paint code for obsidian black. obsidian black is 197, and a much nicer black than 040, which is simply called black.

So right you are! I don't know how I got the name of 197 associated with 040, but I've gone and fixed it above. Thank you for the correction!

I'm still not convinced on the concept of having a sub in the trunk of a w124 (please prove me wrong). I mean; you still end up having a big tank and the rear seats between you and the sub...
That's the reason why I'm considering a plat sub beneath the dash on the passenger side.
M-B themselves had a sub as an option in that same spot.

Yeah, it isn't ideal, that's for sure. I have no doubts that a significant portion of the energy produced by the sub is going to be absorbed by the fuel tank and rear seats, so the likelihood of ear-shatterling levels of volume is pretty low. Then again, that's not really what I'm going for. If I'm unhappy with the outcome, my plan is to cut out the center of the rear deck and mount the sub facing upwards.

I've seen the passenger's floor box once or twice before (though never one that looked factory), and it's certainly got some advantages, but I'm guessing my lovely female passenger might complain about the intrusion into her legroom. I've never seen the MB one - you're saying it tucks up under the dash?

I'll see if I can scrounge up a decent mic and I'll post a video of the sound from the cabin when it's all up and running. I know that won't tell you as much as an actual listen, but it's something.

[loekaaz]

I'm still not convinced on the concept of having a sub in the trunk of a w124 (please prove me wrong). I mean; you still end up having a big tank and the rear seats between you and the sub...
That's the reason why I'm considering a flat sub beneath the dash on the passenger side.
M-B themselves had a sub as an option in that same spot.

Nevertheless, I'm in for updates. This gon b gud...